Couple and Family Therapy University of Louisville

Overview

The Couple and Family Therapy programme at the University of Louisville is designed to train highly skilled professionals capable of supporting couples and families within diverse community contexts. This Master of Science degree focuses on systemic assessment and interventions through a dedicated social justice lens.

Students engage in a comprehensive curriculum that meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Kentucky. The course emphasises the integration of family systems theory with research-informed practice to ensure graduates are prepared for complex clinical environments.

The learning experience is deeply rooted in ethical practice and professional development.

Why Couple and Family Therapy at University of Louisville?

The University of Louisville offers a unique institutional setting as the first COAMFTE-accredited master’s degree in the United States to be housed within a school of social work. This provides students with a broad interdisciplinary environment and access to extensive clinical resources.

The Kent School of Social Work and Family Science provides a distinctive teaching approach that combines traditional therapy models with a strong commitment to social justice. This ensures that practitioners are not only clinically competent but also culturally sensitive and community-oriented.

Facilities and partnerships within the university allow students to gain significant practical experience. The programme requires a minimum of 300 client contact hours and 100 relational hours, ensuring that every graduate has substantial hands-on training before entering the workforce.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 31108 per year
• National fee: USD 31108 per year
• Local fee: USD 15304 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to cover foundational theories, advanced clinical techniques, and supervised practical experience. Modules may include:

• Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice
• Human and Family Development Across the Lifespan
• Research Methodology and Design
• Social Work and Human Sexuality
• Psychopathology
• Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy: Theory and Practice
• Family Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Diverse Populations
• Couple Therapy: Theory and Practice
• Contemporary Issues, Community Intersections & Collaborations in CFT
• Integrating Family Therapy: Theory and Practice
• Professional Issues & Ethics in Couple & Family Therapy
• Couple and Family Therapy Practicum
• Family Therapy Supervision
• Motivation and Change
• Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
• Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders

Careers with Couple and Family Therapy

Graduates are prepared for professional roles as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists across various sectors. The programme equips students to work in private practice, community mental health centres, and social service organisations.

The training also supports careers in specialised areas such as alcohol and drug counselling, particularly for those who complete the optional concentration. Graduates often find employment in healthcare systems, family advocacy groups, and clinical research settings.